Surgeons in Lviv Perform Ukraine’s First Heart Surgery on a 3-Month-Old Through a 4-Centimeter Incision

Pioneering Glenn Procedure in Lviv

According to Главком: Doctors in Lviv have successfully performed a minimally invasive Glenn procedure on a three-month-old infant named Nazar, who was born with a congenital heart defect. The surgery took place at the St. Nicholas Children’s Hospital and marks the first operation of its kind in Ukraine. Nazar, diagnosed with a single ventricle and tricuspid atresia, was admitted to the hospital at just one day old. The intervention became necessary due to a critical drop in his oxygen saturation levels.

Surgical Technique and Outcomes

The Glenn procedure was carried out through a 4-centimeter incision under the armpit, avoiding the traditional chest-opening approach. According to Oleksandr Yachnik, head of the cardiac surgery department, this method significantly reduces tissue damage, blood loss, and the need for donor blood. He emphasized that while the technique is more challenging for the surgeon, it is safer and more beneficial for the child.

“For the first time in Ukraine, we performed this stage of correction using a minimally invasive approach. This is our way of pushing medicine further, beyond the limits of what was thought possible,” - Oleksandr Yachnik.

Nazar’s mother, Olha Kiziun, shared that after the surgery, her son began to breathe and eat normally. “Before, he would drink a bottle in four sittings with breaks. Now, he finishes all 120 grams at once and doesn’t turn blue!” she noted. Nazar’s next phase of treatment will involve the Fontan procedure.

According to hospital staff, another patient-one-year-old Demian from Zakarpattia, who has a congenital heart defect and mirror-image organs-is also receiving care at the facility. These successful operations highlight the advancement of modern cardiac surgery in Ukraine and the capacity to perform innovative medical interventions.

This surgery represents a significant milestone in the evolution of cardiac care in Ukraine, not only improving the quality of medical services but also demonstrating the ability of Ukrainian doctors to adopt cutting-edge technologies for treating complex heart defects. Refinements in treatment methods, such as minimally invasive surgeries, can substantially increase survival rates and enhance the quality of life for many children with similar conditions.

As advancements in pediatric cardiac surgery continue, another remarkable case emerged recently involving a one-year-old patient with mirrored organ placement. This life-saving heart surgery not only underscores the expertise of Ukrainian surgeons but also highlights the growing capabilities of modern medicine in the country. To learn more about this unique operation and its implications for future treatments, read about the successful surgery for a child with mirror-image organs.